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Monday, December 31, 2012

On my Moments with Maisie blog, each December 31st I do a year in review post of all the things that happened throughout the year. It struck me that I should do a post of my favorite recipes from 2012, so here is my cooking year in review.

January~ This was my busiest cooking month and there were many wonderful recipes but the one that I’m most thrilled with is my Pork Dumplings with Rice Wrappers. My Maisie adores dumplings but when we found out that she was allergic to wheat, egg & dairy, she lost her favorite food. So, when I finally thought to make dumplings using rice wrappers, and she loved them, well I was just thrilled beyond words. I now make these in large batches and keep them in my freezer so that anytime she wants dumplings, she can have them.

March ~ My Loaded Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole has to be my March favorite because it’s simple, it combines two favorites, loaded potatoes and buffalo chicken and I have been making this dish for years and we never tire of it. This is one casserole that I always try to keep some portions in the freezer for when we get a craving.

June ~ I adore cheese and these one ingredient super simple Lacy Cheese Crackers were a huge hit and I have made them dozens of times since and with all sorts of different cheeses, all so delicious.

July ~ I love pizza but I don’t love all the carbs & calories so I was thrilled to make Cauliflower Crust Pizza which is great tasting, a lot healthier and in my opinion, even better than the high carb & calorie pizza. This now is my go-to pizza when I have the craving.

August ~ These Mini Cheesecake Bites are a healthier version of the ones my Mom always made when I was growing up and they were always a favorite. I love that my version are low carb, no added sugar, portion controlled and just as delicious.

September ~ Though I did very little cooking, what I did do all included veggies from our garden. All the recipes this month were wonderful but I’d have to say that, much to surprise, my favorite was one of my Improv Cooking Challenge recipes, Zucchini with Onion & Brown Sugar. This was an amazingly delicious dish and a great way to use the bounty of zucchini that arrives each summer.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

In the Cook Lisa Cook home we go through a lot of oats. Not only do we all enjoy oatmeal for breakfast but I also use oats in all of the granola bars that I make for Maisie and in a number of my cookie bars too. So when I was contacted by Foodie Blogroll* regarding participating in a promotion for Better Oats, I of course said yes!

Once the Better Oats were in the house we were all excited to give them a try. Eammon immediately went for the MMM...Muffins Blueberry and said that it was the best flavored oatmeal he had ever eaten. Maisie opted for the Oat Revolution! Apples & Cinnamon as that’s her favorite flavor. Maisie liked the oatmeal though she said, not as much as her regular one, but I think that’s because her regular one tastes much sweeter. I enjoyed the MMM...Muffins Oatmeal Raisin Cookie which was tasty, not too sweet and had a great texture. We also tried the RAW Pure & Simple Pomegranate with Flax which was interesting and different from what we generally eat. I set aside the RAW Pure & Simple bare to be used in the recipe below but honestly any of the flavors would have worked in the cookies but I wanted to keep them no-added sugar so I opted for the plain oatmeal.

I saw a recipe for breakfast cookies and tailored that recipe to flavors which we enjoy. What’s really nice though about using this basic recipe is that it can be made to fit any taste you enjoy. Don’t like cranberries or they contain too much sugar, try raisins. Allergic to almonds or don’t like nuts? Just use ones you like or leave them out. Not a fan of bananas, use mango pulp…what about mango pulp, apple sauce, dried mango bits and some unsweetened coconut with the oats…sure sounds delicious and still wheat, egg and dairy free! So grab some Better Oats and use your imagination to make some delicious Oat Breakfast Cookies of your own, they’re delicious.

Oat Revolution: Raise your spoon and join us for an Oat Revolution! It starts with all natural 100% whole grain oats. We then add antioxidants and flax, a good source of Omega-3, and top it all off with a bold shot of flavor. All combine to create delicious oatmeal that keeps its rich, robust flavor all the way to your bowl. Take one bite and start your Oat Revolution!

MMM...Muffins: Everyone loves waking up to hot, fresh muffins for breakfast.MMM...Muffins gives you that same delicious muffin taste you crave in healthy and nutritious 100% whole grain oatmeal. Our thick and hearty oatmeal is also a good source of fiber and omega-3, so it's better than good, it's good for you. Start your day off right with the indulgent taste of real muffin flavor in every bite...mmm.

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper. In a medium bowl mash the bananas. Stir in the applesauce & almond extract. Add the oats, dried cranberries and toasted almonds and mix well. Allow the mixture to sit for about five minutes before proceeding. With a large cookie scoop portion out the mixture making 12 cookies. Flatten the cookies down a bit as they will not spread or puff as they bake. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the pans before removing to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

More about Better Oats:

Better Oats instant oatmeal comes in many delicious varieties * 23 flavors in fact, including RAW Pure & Simple *Pomegranate and MMM... Muffins *Blueberry Muffin. Kids love Better Oats because it’s fun and delicious, and parents love it because it is not only nutritious, but also convenient. Better Oats uses up to 35 percent less packaging than traditional instant oatmeal boxes (so there’s more room on the pantry shelf), and the pouch doubles as a measuring cup!

Made with 100% whole grain oats and flax seeds, this complete line offers a simple and healthy option when it comes to instant oatmeal. But it's not only a great breakfast (or lunch... or snack...) but also a better ingredient to spice up a cookie or other baked goods.

You've got to try Better Oats. If you've been settling for ordinary oatmeal, then you're in for a treat because Better Oats is just... better! Try us and see for yourself.

* This sponsorship is brought to you by Foodie Blogroll who we have partnered with for this promotion. I was provided with a box of products to sample. This is a compensated post but all the views and opinions expressed are my own and based upon my experiences with Better Oats.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Years ago…well I should say decades ago as it was probably 20+ years ago, I remember enjoying one of the most wonderful steaks I’ve ever eaten. It was steak au poivre, prepared tableside at a very upscale, now defunct, restaurant in Aruba called Chez Mathilde. A number of times through the years I’ve made steak au poivre and though I could get the flavors where I wanted, the quality of the filet mignon was never quite as buttery and tender as the one I remembered. So when I was asked by Certified Steak & Seafood* to sample and review their Prime Angus Filet Mignon, I knew immediately what recipe I wanted to make.

The Certified Steak & Seafood Filet Mignon steaks arrived at my door individually vacuum sealed, frozen and packed in a styrofoam cooler with dry ice. It was easy to just pop the steaks in the freezer to be used at a later date…but I couldn’t wait. Instead of placing the steaks in the freezer I put them in the fridge and allowed them to defrost overnight. Less than 24 hours after the steaks arrived I was cooking and we were enjoying them. Finally!! I found steaks as tender and buttery as I remember those from years ago at Chez Mathilde. Not only were these Certified Steak & Seafood filets tender but the flavor was gorgeous, even without the amazing sauce that I prepared. The Certified Steak & Seafood Prime Filet Mignon steaks were just wonderful and we’re looking forward to enjoying more in the near future along with some Chilean Sea Bass*. Certified Steak & Seafood also sent samples of Chilean Sea Bass which I did pop into the freezer and am looking forward to trying very soon but with our busy schedule it will have to wait until after the holidays so please check back for that recipe and review.

"If there was ever a steak that you will believe can “melt in your mouth” the Certified Steak and Seafood Prime angus Filet Mignon is it. With a delectable almost sweet beef flavor, and a strong buttery undertone that only Prime angus offers, it has to be tasted to be believed.

Each Prime angus filet is slow aged, custom cut and trimmed for consistency in color and quality. It is a flavor you will remember long after your meal is over. Great accompanied by grilled root vegetables and horseradish mashed potatoes.”

Remove the steaks from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 60 minutes prior to cooking. Make sure that the steaks are dry and sprinkle all sides with salt.

Coarsely crush the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle, the bottom of a cast iron skillet, or using a mallet and pie pan. Spread the peppercorns evenly onto a plate. Press the fillets, on both sides, into the pepper until it coats the surface. Set aside.

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. As soon as the butter and oil begin to turn golden and smoke, gently place the steaks in the pan. Once placed, do not move them other than to turn them one time. For medium-rare, cook for 4 minutes on each side. Once done, remove the steaks to a plate, tent with aluminum foil and set aside. Pour off any excess fat but do not wipe or scrape the pan clean.

Off of the heat, add the Cognac to the pan and carefully ignite the alcohol with a long match or utility lighter. Gently shake pan until the flames die. Return the pan to medium heat and add the cream. Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Add any of the accumulated juices from the steak resting plate back to the pan and stir to mix in. Spoon some of the sauce onto the serving plate, top with the steak and drizzle a little more sauce over the top. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

More about Certified Steak & Seafood: “Our commitment to our customers is simple: Offer the highest quality products at the best price and back it with a 100% guarantee. We source directly with no 'middle man' making our supply chain the shortest in the industry. This allows us to maintain the highest quality standards all the way to your plate. On top of this, we sample all products at the moment of final packaging and have a world-renowned laboratory test for various types of adulteration or contamination. This ensures that the food you purchase from us is pure and safe.

Certified Steak and Seafood Company was formed by the three Frisch boys, Mark, Adam, and Steven; all of whom thought that everyone should be able to buy the highest quality steaks and seafood direct. The brothers experience comes from a three generation family owned wholesale company that is one of the largest seafood importers in America.

They have vast experience in sourcing and selling high quality seafood and meat products to the commercial trade — and bring you the same grade of products fine restaurants, resorts, hotels, and high-end retail stores demand – and at a direct price that gives you tremendous value for every purchase.”

Disclosures:

* This sponsorship is brought to you by Certified Steak & Seafood Company who we have partnered with for this promotion. I was provided with a box of products to sample. This is a compensated post but all the views and opinions expressed are my own and based upon my experiences with Certified Steak & Seafood products.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

About a month ago I posted the following status on Facebook: “The older I get, the less I enjoy, crave or even want chocolate. What's up with that?” Most people commented that I must be sick or crazy and stated that they had the complete opposite problem. I honestly don’t know what it is with me but I just haven’t been in a chocolate mood. So when I saw that this month for the Improv Cooking Challenge our hostess Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker asked the participating bloggers to make any recipe of their choice using the two given ingredients of chocolate & marshmallows, I have to say, I was uninspired. Though I could think of a way to use chocolate in a savory recipe, like my Fruit & Nut Turkey Chili, I just couldn’t work the marshmallows into anything savory. I looked through dozens and dozens of sweet recipes and though lots of them looked interesting and good, they just left me cold and I couldn’t be bothered to make them.

I almost decided to skip the challenge this month but I’ve been participating in the Improv Cooking Challenge for the past 14 months and I just didn’t want to break my streak. In the end I decided to make a simple candy bark in flavors that Eammon would love and using ingredients that I had in the house. Eammon adores both milk and white chocolate and as I had white in the house, that was the way I went. I always keep marshmallows in the pantry as Maisie loves them as a little treat and as I was using white chocolate I decided to use the pretty pastel colored ones. I also wanted something crunchy and chewy in the bark so after a raid on the panty, I chose to add some cashews and dried cranberries.

Prepare a baking sheet, covered with either a Silpat, or aluminum foil. Slowly and carefully melt the white chocolate either in a double boiler or in the microwave being careful not to scorch the chocolate. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, mix in the marshmallows, cranberries and cashews and immediately pour onto the prepared pan. Spread and smooth the mixture as needed. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set and then either cut or break into pieces.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Back in August for my Secret Recipe Club assignment I was assigned Barbara’s blog, Barbara Bakes and I for my post I decided to make her Chicken Satay Noodle Salad but a number of her other recipes caught my eye including her Braised Beef Short Ribs. I couldn’t get the rib recipe out of my mind but as our temps were in the high 90’s & 100’s I just couldn’t bring myself to run the oven for 2+ hours so I saved the recipe and tried to put it out of my mind. As soon as the temps took a little dip though, my thoughts returned to her ribs and I just had to make them.

Even though the recipe takes two days to make, it’s not a lot of hands on time. The first day the ribs are browned and braised and then chilled overnight to not only allow the accumulated fat to congeal on the top so that it can easily be removed but also allowing the ribs to soak up all the wonderful flavors. Then on the second day the ribs are cooked in the braising liquid on the stovetop as the liquid is reduced to a wonderful glaze.

Barbara said that these ribs were fall off the bone delicious and we all agree but I would add the word “rich” to the description as well. I didn’t make any ingredient changes to Barbara’s recipe but I did adjust my amounts slightly. So were these ribs worth a two day cooking process…heck yes!! I will be making these again and I’m thinking that next time I am going to make one addition to the recipe, I’ll add some fresh mushrooms because they would soak up the flavor of the sauce and be absolutely wonderful with the the beef.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Season ribs to taste with the salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed ovenproof pan over high heat. Add ribs and brown on all sides. Work in batches if you need to so that the ribs don’t get crowded (this will help with browning).

Transfer ribs to a plate. Pour off excess fat. Add the onions, celery, and carrots to the pan and sauté, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the pan, set aside. Then add the wine to the pan, deglazing the pan, scraping off any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the wine by three-quarters until thick and slightly syrupy, about 15 minutes.

Return the ribs to the pan, add the beef stock and enough water to cover the ribs. Bring to a boil, cover with the lid or foil and place in the oven. Braise, cooking in the oven until the meat is fork-tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. During the last 1/2 hour of cooking add back in the vegetables. Allow the ribs to cool in the liquid, then cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day remove the excess fat that has solidified at the top from the overnight chilling. Place the pan with the ribs and cooking liquid over medium heat, uncovered. Cook until the liquid has reduced by three-quarters, about 1 hour. Continue to cook, spooning the sauce over the ribs, until the sauce is thick and ribs are glazed. Take care not to burn the glaze; move the ribs around in the pan to keep them from burning.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

These are Eammon’s absolute favorite potatoes but because of the calories in them, I make them only for holidays or as a very special treat. When I make these special potatoes I use a very special ingredient, FAT!! Yes pure, delicious, culinary gold, saved fat from when I previously made either chicken, duck or even as a last resort, bacon. I keep containers of rendered fat in my freezer for when I want to make these potatoes or other special recipes. My favorite fat to use when making these potatoes is the fat skimmed from a pot of Cheaters Chicken Soup as it not only has the rich chicken fat flavor but also all the garlic, onion and other flavors from the “Rotisserie” Chicken and the soup so it gives these potatoes the most delicious flavor EVAAH!! {Sorry, I’m originally from Boston and the accent just comes out every once in a while.} I have also used pure rendered chicken and duck fat and while not as flavorful, still off the charts delicious. If you’re not into saving chicken fat, fry up some bacon and use that fat. Once you try these potatoes you’ll find fried or oven potatoes made with oil…well just boring and bland. These potatoes are a special treat and oh-so-very worth every.single-calorie!!

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the potatoes. Parboil the potatoes for five minutes, until just the outer edge of the potatoes are soft but the potatoes are still raw in the middle. Pour the potatoes into a colander to drain and toss them around to get the edges roughed up. Place some of the chicken fat into the now empty, still warm pot and allow it to melt. Add the drained potatoes to the pot and toss to coat with the melted fat. Pour the potatoes onto the prepared baking pan in a single layer and place them skin side down. Roast for 30 minutes. Toss the potatoes and cook another 10 minutes, toss one last time and cook for a final 10 minutes. Season with salt & pepper and serve hot.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Cauliflower was a recent loss leader at my local market so I’ve been on a cauliflower binge so get ready to see lots of recipes including cauliflower. Also a recent loss leader were packages of red, yellow and orange bell peppers so they too have been making a showing in a lot of our meals lately.

I served this cauliflower dish at our Thanksgiving dinner this year along side the Spatchcocked Turkey. As I said in previous posts, because we were only a small group, the three of us and my parents and that fact that Maisie, my Mom and I were all sick, I went simple and easy with our meal and used only the ingredients I had in the house. With this recipe, I knew what flavors and textures I wanted and I just made it up as I went along. Thankfully it came out exactly as I envisioned and everyone loved the dish.

The dish includes sweet, caramelized onions and garlic, seared sweet peppers and seared and steamed cauliflower. What really added an additional, phenomenal flavor, was that I used some chicken fat from my Cheaters Chicken soup as the oil/fat for the dish. While I could have used any cooking oil, butter or even bacon grease, I just adore the flavor that the seasoned chicken fat added to the dish.

Heat a thin layer of fat or oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. Very slowly sauté the onion until it begins to caramelize. Add the garlic and continue cooking until the onion and garlic is nicely caramelized. Remove the onion & garlic from the pan, set aside, return the pan to the cook top and turn the heat to high. Once the pan is really hot add the peppers and sear quickly so that they retain some of their crunch. Remove the peppers to the dish with the onions & garlic and then add the cauliflower to the hot pan. Allow the cauliflower to sear a little, stirring when necessary. When the cauliflower has some toasted bits, add a cup of water to the pan and cover immediately. Reduce the temperature to medium and allow the cauliflower to steam cook until tender but not mushy. If there is any water left in the pan once the cauliflower is tender, just pour it off. Add the cooked onions & peppers back into the pan with the cooked cauliflower and toss gently to mix. Add salt & pepper to taste.